Aktar Islam to leave Lasan restaurant group

Aktar Islam is to leave his role as chef director of Lasan restaurant group to pursue new opportunities.

The chef rose to a prominent role at the business, founded by his friend Jabbar Khan in 2002, after appearing on The F Word, a TV show fronted by celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay. Lasan won "Best Local Restaurant" on the show.

Islam, who cooked the fish course at the final banquet of the Great British Menu in 2011 alongside Tom Kerridge, Paul Ainsworth and Chris Fearon, has since helped to oversee the Lasan restaurant group's expansion to several sites in Birmingham, including Fiesta Del Asado, Izza Pizza in Selfridges, Raja Monkey Indian Street Cafe, and Nosh & Quaff.

Quoted in the Birmingham Mail, Khan said: "Aktar's a personal friend and it's been great working with him over the years. It's been a pleasure working with Aktar and I wish him every success as he moves on to fresh challenges."

Islam added: "I've decided that it's time to branch out to achieve my own personal and professional goals and I'm excited at the opportunities that lie ahead."

Lasan is currently undergoing a refurbishment and will reopen at the end of this month.

No-one from Lasan restaurant group was immediately available to comment.

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